Mock Draft: Version B

There’s only one day until draft day and it’s time to see whether your team’s pick will leave you smiling, yelling at the TV or simply nodding your head. While I’m sure there will be some trades made throughout the draft, this mock is composed if the order goes as is. Usually people build mock drafts that they think improve their old one, I’m going a different direction. It’s not more likely to happen, but a set of scenarios that could result in a completely different draft. Version B takes a few more chances and goes a little unconventional. Draft day always has a couple shockers though.

The Chiefs drafting Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joekel still makes too much sense. Andy Reid needs to protect Alex Smith if he wants to see him do anything productive. Yes, the Chiefs are still looking to trade down to snag some more picks but I don’t see any team trading picks to get the first overall pick. Again, we’re more likely to see Andy Reid in a Weight Watchers commercial before we hear of a trade happening. The Chiefs are going to bring in Joekel, trade Brandon Albert to the Dolphins and hopefully begin a new era in Kansas City. If the Albert trade doesn’t go through, the Chiefs are going to be stuck with more tackles than their run defense had last year.

Previous Pick: Luke Joekel

Pick: Luke Joekel

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

Positions of need: Quarterback, Linebacker, Offensive and Defensive Line

As seen from the positions of need for the Jaguars, they need help everywhere. It’s damn near impossible for the team to make a pick and have it not be a good move. They’re that bad. I still like the idea of taking a pass-rusher here. The entire team had less sacks than J.J. Watt last year. They need the help on the defensive line, and Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan provides that. While the Jaguars may be tempted to snag Ziggy Ansah, Jordan is the more polished of the two.

Previous Pick: Dion Jordan

Pick: Dion Jordan

3. Oakland Raiders

Position of Need: Defensive Tackle

Oakland fans, there is only one day left until the draft and your team has managed to keep its draft pick. Let’s hope they can make it through the next 24 hours. The Raiders lost both Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour this off-season leaving them with a huge need at defensive tackle. I’d prefer Utah’s Star Lotulelei but the media has hyped up Florida’s Shariff Floyd as the go-to-guy for defensive tackle. The Raiders haven’t had a first rounder in a while and hopefully it’s something that they won’t mess up. The pick’s staying the same and rolling with Floyd.

Previous Pick: Shariff Floyd

Pick: Shariff Floyd

4. Philadelphia Eagles

Positions of need: Quarterback, Linebacker and Offensive Line

Hey, it’s our first change in the draft! From everything that has been coming out of the Eagles camp in the draft, Chip Kelly’s offense GOES. I’m personally about the “try and draft as many Eagles’ players as I can” in my fantasy draft. With this new offense, the Eagles are about to need some offensive linemen that can hustle and keep up. So, whose name will we see on a personalized post-workout smoothie in Eagles camp after the draft? They’ll get themselves an athletic offensive lineman and we’ll see Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher running up and down the field come September.

Previous Pick: Star Lotulelei

Pick: Eric Fisher

5. Detroit Lions

Positions of need: Offensive Line and Defensive Line

The Lions lost Kyle Vanden Bosch, Cliff Avril and Jeff Backus this year. That leaves some major holes at the line of scrimmage. Rumor has it that they really want Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner as well. So do they go for a pass rusher or take the corner to protect from being destroyed by Aaron Rodgers twice a year? I think they’ll roll with Milliner rather than take the risk on Ziggy Ansah. Even though that ESPN article came out about Milliner’s surgeries, I think that’s more news to us than to NFL teams.

Previous Pick: Eric Fisher

Pick: Dee Milliner

6. Cleveland Browns

Positions of need: Cornerback and Linebacker

If Milliner fell to them I think they would take him, but they might not have the opportunity. It’s too much of a reach to take a linebacker, they don’t need the last top lineman available, and their dream cornerback tandem is gone. So, I think it’s between snagging West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith or improving their pass rush. I think Smith makes sense with this pick over Ansah. It might seem like a bit of a reach but what do the Browns have to lose? Brandon Weeden is not the future, take the best quarterback in the draft and see where it goes.

Previous Pick: Dee Milliner

Pick: Geno Smith

7. Arizona Cardinals

Positions of need: Offensive Line. They need something that can actually move.

The Cardinals are screaming that Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson made it to them. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if someone was willing to trade with the Browns to move up and snag the last of the elite tackles available. Johnson will never make it past the Cardinals. Old man Carson Palmer will be protected.

Previous Pick: Lane Johnson

Pick: Lane Johnson

8. Buffalo Bills

Positions of need: Quarterback

This is where I go a little crazy and completely buy into rumors. As much as I’d love to see Kevin Kolb Kolbing it up next year, I don’t see it happening. Kolb is the guy that enters the game and everyone you’re watching the game with knows he’s going to mess up, get hurt or both. Doug Marrone and the Bills coaching staff have a good relationship with their former Syracuse quarterback and it seems like they may just take Ryan Nassib with this pick, especially if Geno is gone. Do I think Nassib is a first-round pick? No, but it’s nothing new for me to be surprised on draft day.

Previous Pick: Geno Smith

Pick: Ryan Nassib

9. New York Jets

Positions of need: Defensive Line, Linebacker and Wide Receiver

I still think that Rex Ryan is taking a pass rusher, the name has just changed. I said in the first version of this mock draft that it was between BYU’s Ziggy Ansah and LSU’s Barkevious Mingo. The media have been talking up a storm about Ansah and may have just talked him past Mingo. It may be the case that Ryan develops Ansah into an absolute beast. The Jets will now be hoping that Ziggy will be able to cause more fumbles than the ass of Mark Sanchez’s lineman.

Previous Pick: Barkevious Mingo

Pick: Ziggy Ansah

10. Tennessee Titans

Positions of need: Offensive Line and Defensive Line

I still think that its too early to take a guard in this draft and after Lane Johnson there isn’t a lineman worth a top-10 pick. I think they’ll help bolster their pass rush and add LSU’s Barkevious Mingo. Mingo is one of the best pass rushers available in the draft and is a more polished product than Ansah.

Previous Pick: Ziggy Ansah

Pick: Barkevious Mingo

11. San Diego Chargers

Positions of Need: Offensive Line & Linebacker

I just said that guards are not generally top-10 picks and luckily this is pick number 11. The Chargers have a huge need on the offensive line and to give Philip Rivers some protection. Ideally, the Chargers would trade up to the Browns position or higher and take one of the elite tackles. If they’re not able to do that though, look for them to go to the next best thing and take North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper.

Previous Pick: Jonathan Cooper

Pick: Jonathan Cooper

12. Miami Dolphins

Positions of need: Offensive Line, Defensive Line and Cornerback

The Dolphins lost their staple on their offensive line when Jake Long decided to head to St. Louis and have had their eye on Brandon Albert. This pick is going to be contingent on whether the Dolphins feel they can get the deal done. I think the Albert deal gets done and the Dolphins will still focus on their offensive line. Ryan Tannehill just got some nice toys and is going to need time to play with them. Take a chance on Alabama offensive guard Chance Warmack and protect the quarterback.

Previous Pick: D.J. Fluker

Pick: Chance Warmack

13. Jets (From the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Positions of need: Cornerback, Tight End and Defensive Line

The Bucs got the deal done with Darrelle Revis and gave up the 13th pick in the process. The Jets give themselves two picks in the top 13, but gave up arguably the best position player in football. I think the Bucs got a steal by not having to pay future guaranteed money to Revis, and the Jets will look to make a steal of their own with this pick. While Rex Ryan loves defense, the Jets need a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. I think they take the best wide receiver in the draft and snag West Virginia’s Tavon Austin. The Jets somehow need to find a way into the end zone.

Previous Pick: Xavier Rhodes (Bucs)

Pick: Tavon Austin

14. Carolina Panthers

Positions of need: Defensive Line, Cornerback and Wide Receiver

The Panthers need to address their defensive issues. The Panthers are salivating at Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei falling to them in the draft. In my previous version, I had Lotulelei going fourth overall to the Eagles, but its very possible he falls here in the draft (especially considering his medical issues). He could be the steal of the draft if the Panthers can get him here. They’d be fools to not draft him.

I still think that the Saints and Rob Ryan get themselves a pass rusher with this pick. D.J. Fluker is sitting there but Ryan will convince them to pass him up. Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones didn’t do himself any favors with his draft or pro-day performance, but I STILL can’t see him falling below here. They keep with Jones.

Previous Pick: Jarvis Jones

Pick: Jarvis Jones

16. St. Louis Rams

Positions of need: Wide Receiver, Safety and Linebacker

The Rams have a need at wide receiver but they won’t be able to get the one they want. If Austin is gone at this point in the draft, they might as well snag the best safety in the draft and address their wide receiver issue later. They’ll roll with Texas’ Kenny Vaccaro and improve their secondary immediately.

Previous Pick: Tavon Austin

Pick: Kenny Vaccaro

17. Pittsburgh Steelers

Positions of need: Linebacker, Defensive Line, Safety and Tight End

While I didn’t think the Steelers would take an offensive player with their first-round pick, it’s entirely possible. With Kenny Vaccaro, the elite outside linebackers and defensive ends gone, the Steelers may look to potentially replace Heath Miller. Miller’s coming off of surgery and Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert is just getting more and more hype. I had him going 30th last time but this could be the right fit and the right situation. Don’t be surprised if you hear Eifert’s name come pick 17.

Previous Pick: Kenny Vaccaro

Pick: Tyler Eifert

18. Dallas Cowboys

Positions of need: Offensive Line and Safety

As a Cowboys fan I want Kenny Vaccaro to be available here. If he is available and he is passed up, I will be screaming at the TV and hoping Jerry Jones can hear me. Odds are that it’s not going to happen so I think they look towards one of their lines. It’d be between Alabama offensive tackle D.J. Fluker to boost the offensive line or Sheldon Richardson to help the move to the 4-3 defense. Jerry invested heavy in Tony Romo this offseason and needs to protect that investment. Take Fluker and protect the quarterback.

Previous Pick: Chance Warmack

Pick: D.J. Fluker

19. New York Giants

Positions of need: Linebacker and Defensive Line

Although the Giants have a need on the defensive line, it wouldn’t surprise me if they addressed some secondary issues. With Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes on the board, I think they would be inclined to take the chance. If you think I’m overvaluing him, opposing receivers against him averaged just 5.7 yards per completion.

Previous Pick: Bjoern Werner

Pick: Xavier Rhodes

20. Chicago Bears

Positions of need: Linebacker and Defensive tackle

For the same reasons I said in version 1, if the Bears take the best player available, they take Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree.

Previous Pick: Alec Ogletree

Pick: Alec Ogletree

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Positions of need: Cornerback, Linebacker and Running Back

I think its going Ogletree then Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o or Te’o then Ogletree. I think the pair are going in these two picks.

Previous Pick: Manti Te’o

Pick: Manti Te’o

22. St. Louis Rams (from the Washington Redskins)

Positions of need: Safety, Wide Receiver and Linebacker

The Rams do it right here. They get Kenny Vaccaro with their first pick and address their receiver issue with their second. They snag Tennessee’s Cordarelle Patterson and help boost a receiving corps in deep need of a threat. Patterson’s size and speed gives them a legit deep-threat receiver.

Previous Pick: John Cyprien

Pick: Cordarelle Patterson

23. Minnesota Vikings

Positions of need: Wide Receiver, Linebacker and Defensive Line

The Vikings need a receiver but with Patterson off the board, it’d be a stretch to grab one here. Also, the elite middle linebackers go right before them. The good news is that they can still address their defensive line issues. I think they’d be smart to snag defensive tackle Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. He may just be too good to pass up.

Previous Pick: Cordarrelle Patterson

Pick: Sheldon Richardson

24. Indianapolis Colts

Positions of need: Wide Receiver, Cornerback and Safety

Same argument from version 1 and the same pick.

Previous Pick: Desmond Trufant

Pick: Desmond Trufant

25. Minnesota Vikings (from the Seattle Seahawks)

The Vikings have two picks in the first round. They address their defensive line problem in this version with their first pick, meaning they need to take a receiver here. California’s Keenan Allen comes off the board.

Previous Pick: Sylvester Williams

Pick: Keenan Allen

26. Green Bay Packers

Positions of need: Safety, Defensive Line, Linebacker and Running Back

Again, do the right thing Green Bay.

Previous Pick: Eddie Lacy

Pick: Eddie Lacy

27. Houston Texans

Position of need: Wide Receiver

The Texans still need a wide receiver but Allen is off the board in this version. They snag USC’s Robert Woods who is just as good, if not better.

Previous Pick: Keenan Allen

Pick: Robert Woods

28. Denver Broncos

Positions of need: Defensive line, Running Back and Linebacker

Same reasoning as last time to bolster the defensive line. The only difference is there are better players available in version 2. They still take a Williams, just a better one.

Previous Pick: Jesse Williams

Pick: Sylvester Williams

29. New England Patriots

Positions of need: Wide Receiver and Defensive Line

Like I said in version 1, the most dangerous passing game tries to take it to another level. They take the best receiver on the board.

Previous Pick: Robert Woods

Pick: DeAndre Hopkins

30. Atlanta Falcons

Positions of need: Cornerback, Defensive Line and Tight End

Eifert is gone in this version so the Dirty Birds are going to go defensive. Their offense isn’t the reason they are not making Super Bowls. Take the other Florida State defensive end. When have people ever gone wrong with a guy named Tank?

Pick: Tyler Eifert

Pick: Tank Carradine

31. San Francisco 49ers

Position of need: Safety

There’s not too much change for the 49ers and not much change in the safeties. I like Florida’s Matt Elam slightly over Jonathan Cyprien and I think they stick with him.

Previous Pick: Matt Elam

Pick: Matt Elam

32. Baltimore Ravens

Positions of need: Linebacker and Safety

The Ravens are looking for a replacement for Ed Reed. Florida International’s Jonathan Cyprien is more than willing to try and step up. The safety from a small school is looking to make a big name for himself in the NFL.